5G Wireless Service Expected This Summer

Posted by: The Dispatch
FENWICK ISLAND – An update on cell service improvements highlighted a recent Fenwick Island committee meeting.On the agenda for discussion at last month’s Fenwick Island Infrastructure Com......

Efforts To Improve Drainage Continue

Posted by: The Dispatch
FENWICK ISLAND – Officials say efforts are ongoing to improve drainage issues in Fenwick Island.In a meeting of the Fenwick Island Infrastructure Committee last month, Public Works Manager Mike ......

Ørsted Delays Offshore Wind Farm Project Completion Date

Posted by: The Dispatch
OCEAN CITY — One of two approved offshore wind energy projects planned off Ocean City has informed a state regulatory agency its target date for operation has now been moved to 2026.In 2017, the......

Thoughts From The Publisher’s Desk – March 5, 2021

Posted by: The Dispatch
During last fall’s election season, all five mayoral candidates in Berlin vowed not to raise property taxes in their first year. Then-Councilman Zack Tyndall said, “I think it’s imp......

Mass Vaccination Site Announced For Salisbury No Later Than March 18

Posted by: The Dispatch
BERLIN — A COVID mass vaccination site on the Eastern Shore will likely open in roughly two weeks, Governor Larry Hogan announced on Tuesday.During his weekly COVID-19 press conference on Tuesda......

Fenwick Acquires Police Vehicles

Posted by: The Dispatch
FENWICK ISLAND – Citing recent challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Fenwick Island will move forward with the purchase of an additional patrol vehicle.The Fenwick Island Town Council ......

OC Neighborhood Watch Group Presents Annual Awards

Posted by: The Dispatch
OCEAN CITY — Although ongoing COVID concerns curtailed the traditional ceremony, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) Corporal Jeff Heiser has been named the Neighborhood Watch Association Offic......

Drone Shows Should Wait A Year In Ocean City

Posted by: The Dispatch
Considerable discussion was held last week on the possibility of adding drone light shows to Ocean City’s special events offerings this summer. These are worthwhile talks, but there is no need ......

Berlin Requests 11% Increase In County Budget Funds

Posted by: The Dispatch
SNOW HILL – The Town of Berlin is asking the county to help fund a proposed Rails-to-Trails network as well as a feasibility study for a new community center on Flower Street.Mayor Zack Tyndall......

Fenwick Island ‘Passed Over’ For Planned Fall Beach Replenishment

Posted by: The Dispatch
FENWICK ISLAND – A beach replenishment project will not take place in Fenwick Island this fall as originally planned, according to town officials.In a Fenwick Island Town Council meeting last Fr......

Two-Year Golf Course Acquisition Process Completed; State Park To Grow By 212 Acres

Posted by: The Dispatch
SNOW HILL – Pocomoke River State Park will increase in size with the addition of what was once the Nassawango Golf Course.More than two years after the process began the Maryland Department of N......

Art League Continues To Thrive Amid Pandemic Restrictions

Posted by: The Dispatch
OCEAN CITY — Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the Art League of Ocean City continued to thrive over the last year with creative, out-of-the-box ideas to reach out to the community and pro......

High-Speed Internet Goal ‘All About The Finances’

Posted by: The Dispatch
SNOW HILL – County officials want a communications company to put together a proposal to bring high speed internet to the entire county in three years.Following a presentation from Talkie Commun......

High Court Rules Text Messages Acceptable Evidence

Posted by: The Dispatch
BERLIN — A Virginia Beach man, convicted last March by a Worcester County jury of possession with intent to distribute heroin and sentenced to eight years, had his bid for a new trial denied thi......

Bills Seek Extra Eligibility Year For High School Athletes

Posted by: The Dispatch
BERLIN — In yet another odd fallout from the pandemic, a pair of state lawmakers have proposed bills that, if approved, would add another year of eligibility for student-athletes whose high scho......

Wicomico Sheriff Looks Past Critics With Sanctuary County Proclamation

Posted by: The Dispatch
SALISBURY – Sheriff Mike Lewis issued a proclamation this week declaring Wicomico a Second Amendment sanctuary county.In a meeting of the Wicomico County Council on Tuesday, Sheriff Mike Lewis p......

Wind Farm Developer To Reach Out To Regional Fishermen

Posted by: The Dispatch
OCEAN CITY — In an effort to allay concerns from area commercial and recreational fishermen, a company pursuing an offshore wind energy farm off Ocean City has partnered with a consulting firm t......

Coalition Aims To Spotlight Bike, Pedestrian Activities

Posted by: The Dispatch
BERLIN – A new coalition is bringing together towns and agencies to improve bike and pedestrian resources in Worcester County.Since June, members of the Worcester County Bike and Pedestrian Coa......

Motorist Sentenced In High-Speed Chase

Posted by: The Dispatch
OCEAN CITY — A Gwynn Oak, Md. man arrested in June on weapons and traffic charges and leading police on a high-speed chase pleaded guilty this week and was sentenced to six months in jail.On Wed......

The Adventures Of Fatherhood – March 5, 2021

Posted by: The Dispatch
How hard to push is a constant mental battle with our kids.Expectations are a good thing, but it requires more intestinal fortitude from parents than I ever could have imagined. Though our home dynami......

Voices From The Readers – March 5, 2021

Posted by: The Dispatch
Think FloridaEditor:Florida is wide open. Positivity rate is lower than California, which is totally shut down.Schools in Florida have been completely open all year and not one student death in the en......

Needed Middle School Addition Moves Forward

Posted by: The Dispatch
SNOW HILL – Construction of the addition to Stephen Decatur Middle School could begin as soon as this fall.The Worcester County Commissioners this week granted a request from the school system f......

What’s Your Sign? March 5, 2021

Posted by: The Dispatch
ARIES (March 21 to April 19): You might feel more encouraged about changes in your personal and/or professional life. However, it might be best not to rush things but rather work with them as they ev......

Things I Like – March 5, 2021

Posted by: The Dispatch
A school delay on Monday morningSeeing smiling kids leaving schoolThrasher’s after a long walk on the boardsEmbracing the positivesLearning from the negativesA smooth settlement dayFinding brick......

Obituaries – March 5, 2021

Posted by: The Dispatch
Josephine J. SmithBERLIN — Josephine J Smith, [Jo] died on Feb. 23, 2021 following a 22-year battle with cancer.She was born Mazie Josephine Mills in Parkersburg, W.Va. on Dec. 8, 1939 to Herber......

Cops & Courts – March 5, 2021

Posted by: The Dispatch
Theft Scheme ArrestOCEAN CITY — An Ocean City woman was arrested last week after detectives were able to connect her to a fraudulent theft scheme involving her mother’s credit card.In Sep......

Vanishing Ocean City With Bunk Mann – March 5, 2021

Posted by: The Dispatch
In the 1950s, a new town known as Ocean Beach was being promoted on the northern end of Assateague Island about five miles south of Ocean City.The development faced several problems, however, includi......

Foreign Workers’ Availability For Summer Remains Unknown; Existing Ban Expires March 31 But Hope Was For Earlier Lift

Posted by: The Dispatch
OCEAN CITY — The outlook for the J-1 visa programs remains in limbo as an action last week by President Biden stopped short of easing travel bans for seasonal foreign student-workers critical t......

Berlin Citizen Officially Pitches Outdoor Ping Pong Tables At Park Concept

Posted by: The Dispatch
BERLIN – The Berlin Parks Commission reviewed plans to add ping pong tables to Burbage Park this week.On Tuesday, Berlin resident Tony Weeg shared a concept plan for the addition of ping pong t......

Local Entrepreneur Appearing On ‘Shark Tank’ Television Show This Friday

Posted by: The Dispatch
BERLIN – A local entrepreneur will make an appearance on this week’s episode of the reality show “Shark Tank.”On Friday, March 5, Lewes-based company Pinch Me Therapy Dough wi......

Fenwick Island ‘Passed Over’ For Planned Fall Beach Replenishment

Posted by: The Dispatch
FENWICK ISLAND – A beach replenishment project will not take place in Fenwick Island this fall as originally planned, according to town officials.In a Fenwick Island Town Council meeting last F......

With Worcester’s Waiting List Over 6,400, Commissioners To Write Governor Again With Vaccine Equity Concerns

Posted by: The Dispatch
SNOW HILL – Local officials are entreating the state to increase Worcester County’s COVID-19 vaccine allotment.Billy Birch, the county’s director of emergency services, asked the Wo......

Mass Vaccination Site Announced For Salisbury No Later Than March 18

Posted by: The Dispatch
BERLIN — A COVID mass vaccination site on the Eastern Shore will likely open in roughly two weeks, Governor Larry Hogan announced on Tuesday.During his weekly COVID-19 press conference on Tuesd......

Ocean Pines Agrees To Release Investigation Reports; Board Decides Not To Consider President’s Removal

Posted by: The Dispatch
OCEAN PINES – Citing the need for transparency, the association’s board this week directed legal counsel to prepare statements on two investigations involving association management and a ......

Unpleasant Odor Expected From Decomposing Whale On Assateague

Posted by: The Dispatch
ASSATEAGUE — Ten days after a deceased 30-ton humpback whale washed up on Assateague, the creature was finally removed from the beach last weekend, but its presence on the barrier island will l......